Cabinet-latch for talking-machines.



H. W. TROTH.

CABINET LA'IGH FOR TALKING MACHINES.

APPLICATION nun D110. 29, 1905.

997,343, Patented July 11, 1911.

WITNESSES: [3 INVENTOH I W277 270 .%.@a @1 9 0 ar g ATTORNEK I HARRY W. TROTH, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO VICTOR TALKING MACHINE COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

CABINET-LATCH FOR TALKING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 11, 1911.

Application filed December 29, 1905. Serial No. 293,766.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY W. TRoTH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Cabinet-Latches for Talking-Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, and complete disclosure.

My invention relates to fasteners for talking machine cabinets and particularly to fasteners for that class of cabinets wherein the mechanism for operating the sound producing apparatus is located within or underneath the cover of the cabinet. Ordinarily these cabinets are opened by means of a lid hingedto the top of one of the walls thereof, and any obstruction on the interior of the walls would necessarily interfere or take up room which should be used for the mechanism for operating the machine. For these reasons, it has heretofore been the custom to have devices or catches for fastening down the lid of the cabinet, as near as possible to one of the walls thereof, in order that any movement of the same will in no way interfere wlth the mechanism of the machine itself. These devices or catches are usually operated by a push button projecting through an orifice in the side of the cabinet. Inasmuch as the lid is relatively heavy on account of the attached mechanism, while one hand is engaged in lifting the same and the other engaged in pushing the button there is a tendency to move the cabinet laterally.

My invention consists in a device which is substantially flush with the inside of the front wall of the cabinet, the operation of the same being controlled by external means operated in such a manner as not to move the cabinet but to rather hold the same in its place. This I accomplish by having the resistance always come from a downward direction or some other direction diverse or opposite to that of the movement of the lid in opening.

My invention further consists in the cletails of construction which will be hereinafter described, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters. refer to corresponding parts.

' In the drawings, Figure 1 is a fragmentary view of the lid and front wall, the

same being shown in longitudinal section; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the catch detached; Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on lines 3-3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a, similar view of the cabinet to Fig. l but showing a modification of the catch; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modification of the catch; and Fig. 6 is a transverse sect-ion taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 4.

Referring to Fig. 1, the lid 2 of the cabinet is shown in its closed and locked position. The front of the cabinet is represented by the wall or support 3', which contains an orifice 45 a short distance below the front of the lid- Over the back of this orifice is fastened the spring latch 5, by means of screws 6+6. This spring latch contains a head 7, the under side of which is flattened in order that the same may lie flush or catch upon the keeper plate 8, which, in turn, is fastened in a depression in the lid. Within the orifice 4 is journaled, so as to swing in a vertical plane, the flat lever 9, having its rear 'end formed in the shape of a cam 10, so that a downward movement of the same will press the edge of the cam against the latch, and throw the latter out of engagement with the keeper plate 8. Within the orifice 4 and lining the same is a fiat piece of metal, bent upon itself to form a U-shaped slot 9, in which the journal pin 12 of the lever 9 is fastened. Over the front of the orifice is fastened, by screws 13l3, a plate 14, containing a slot through which a flattened portion of the lever 9 passes. At right angles with this flattened portion of the lever and at the forward end of the same is a circular fiattened portion 11, which forms a bearing surface, which may be utilized in depressing the lever with the fingers. In the modifications illustrated in Figs. 4;, 5 and 6 the lever, which is represented at 15, may be j ournaled to swing in a horizontal instead of a 7 vertical plane, thus necessitating a horizontal slot formed by the U-shaped portion 16, also a horizontal slot in the front plate 17. In order to facilitate a grip on the lever 15, the lug 18 is fastened at one side of the same, thus enabling the moving lever to be operated between the thumb and forefinger.

The operation of my device, as heretofore stated, may be effected either by a horizontal or vertically swinging lever, since, on ac count of the peculiar configuration or camshaped rear end of the same the latch plate 5 will be thrown rearwardly, and its head 7 will pass clear of the plate 8 in the lid 2, the disengaged position of the members being shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1, 4 and 6.

From the above description of my device, it may be readily seen that while the operator is pushing down or pulling sidewise the levers described and at the same time lifting the lid there is no tendency for the cabinet to slide or slip from his grasp, but on the other hand, whatever force is necessary in operating the several levers described is effective as to hold the cabinet in position. Although I have shown the plate 8 as an engaging member for the latch head 7, it is obvious that any member capable ofbeing engaged by the latch may be utilized. Although I have shown swinging levers having a peculiar configuration both at front and rear, yet'I may use any peculiar design of swinging lever, provided the same function is effected, and such lever is within the scope of my invention, and further, I may dispense with the front plate 14; and a structure involving a U-shaped slot, as this is only a preferred form of my invention.

Throughout this specification I have used a peculiar nomenclature for the various parts, such as engaging member, spring latch bar, head, plate, lever, etc., yet I reserve the right to utilize any of the well known equivalents of the same, provided they are within the scope of my invention, as pointed out in the appended claims.

lVhat I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is as follows:

1. In a cabinet, comprising a side wall, and a removable cover provided with an inclosed recess; the combination with a keeper plate extending across said recess; of a spring latch secured to said side wall to engage said keeper within said recess; and means comprising a pivoted lever extending through said wall and arranged to shift said latch to release said keeper by downward pressure upon its external free end.

2. In a cabinet, comprising a side wall, and a removable cover; the combination with a keeper plate on said cover; of a spring latch within said cabinet and extend ing above its edge and arranged to engage said keeper to retain said cover closed; and means extending through said wall, and arranged to shift said latch to disengage said keeper by downward pressure upon its external free end.

3. In a cabinet, comprising a box and cover, the combination with a spring latch carried by one of said walls; of means on the other wall for engaging said latch; and a lever extending through said wall pivoted on a substantially horizontally disposed axis, and arranged to shift said latch to disengage said latch engaging means, by downward pressure on the external free end of said lever.

4. In a cabinet provided with a side wall, and a movable cover having a recess opening into said cabinet, the combination with a keeper flange in said recess; of a latch plate normally extending coincident with the inner face of said wall and provided with a head arranged to project into said recess over said keeper flange to retain said cover in closed position, and a lever extending through said wall, and provided with a cam arranged to shift said latch plate to disengage its head from said keeper, by depressing its free external end.

5. In a cabinet provided with a side wall, and a movable cover having a recess in its inner face and extending partially through said cover, the combination with a keeper flange extending across said recess, of a plane latch plate normally extending parallel with said wall and in contact therewith and provided with a head arranged to project into said recess to engage said keeper flange and retain said lid in rigid relation with said wall when closed; means arranged to secure said plate to said wall at the end opposed to said head; and a pivoted lever extending through said wall and provided with a cam arranged to engage said latch plate to shift it away from said wall and disengage its head from said keeper plate when the free external end of said lever is depressed.

6. In a cabinet, comprising a substantially vertical side wall and an angularly disposed movable cover, the combination with a keeper plate on said cover; of a spring latch plate in said cabinet rigidly secured to said wall, and tending to shift toward said wall, and provided with a head extending over the top edge of said wall, and arranged to engage said keeper plate to retain said cover in closed position; and a pivoted lever having a cam arranged to engage said latch plate, whereby the depression of the external free end of said lever shifts said plate against its tension to disengage said keeper plate and permit the opening of said cover, the free end of said lever being uplifted by the tension of said latch to its normal position when released.

7. In a cabinet, provided with a movable cover having a recess in its inner face opening into the interior of said cabinet, the combination with a keeper flange in said recess, of a spring latch plate secured to the inner face of said wall and arranged to tensionally engage said wall, and provided with a projecting head extending over the edge of said wall, arranged to engage said flange and thereby retain said cover in closed position; and means comprising a pivoted lever extending through said Wall and arranged to oscillate on t-runnions suitably supported in said Wall, whereby the depression of the external free end of said lever shifts the latch plate against its tension away from said Wall to disengage said flange.

8. In a cabinet, comprising a side wall and a relatively movable cover, the combination of a spring latch rigidly secured to said Wall at one end and having its other end free and provided with means normally overhanging said Wall to engage the keeper Copies of this patent may be obtained for in said cover, and a pivoted lever arranged to engage said latch intermediate its ends, to disengage said keeper by flexing said 15 latch.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of December, A. 1)., 1905.

HARRY W. TROTH.

WVitnesses DEAN S. RENWIOK, l/VM. HAWKINS.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

